invent

verb

in·​vent in-ˈvent 

invented; inventing; invents

transitive verb

1

: to produce (something, such as a useful device or process) for the first time through the use of the imagination or of ingenious thinking and experiment

2

: to devise by thinking : fabricate

3

archaic : find, discover

inventor

in-ˈven-tər 

noun

inventress

in-ˈven-trəs 

noun

Synonyms of invent

• devise
• concoct
• construct

Examples of invent in a Sentence

Thomas Edison invented the phonograph.

She is credited with inventing a procedure that has helped to save thousands of lives.

She invented a clever excuse.

We found out that he had invented the stories he told us about his military service.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bragg signed years ago did not invoke Capote’s more complicated legacy as a fabulist who invented scenes and quotes. — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

However, actually measuring time down to the second only became possible after Christiaan Huygens invented the pendulum clock in 1657. — Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026

In a recent paper in Physical Review X, a team of researchers mathematically investigated knitting to invent a new, more resilient stitch. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026

In Canada, when an Air Canada chatbot invented a bereavement-fare policy, the airline argued the bot was a separate entity responsible for its own actions; the tribunal called the submission remarkable and made the airline pay. — Michael Riedl, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inventus, past participle of invenire to come upon, find, from in- + venire to come — more at come

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing invent

• co-invent

Rhymes for invent

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event

Kids Definition

invent

verb

in·​vent in-ˈvent 

1

: to think up : make up

invent an excuse

2

: to create or produce for the first time

invented a new game

inventor

-ˈvent-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

invent

transitive verb

in·​vent

: to create or produce for the first time

inventor noun